Robert Fisher
Staff Reporter
BARRY’S BAY – The first all-girls hockey clinic, organized by the Barry’s Bay and Area Minor Hockey Association (BBAMHA) had 22 players sign up from ages seven to 18. The five-week clinic put the players through drills to develop skating, stickhandling and shooting skills, and included a virtual session with Rebecca Leslie who plays for the Ottawa Charge in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
The hockey association organized the clinic in-house, using its own coaches and brought in two players from the varsity girls’ team at Madawaska Valley District School to act as mentors and assistant instructors.
Sam Jessup, one of the instructors,said a girls-only clinic is important for player development because Barry’s Bay only has mixed teams and, “this is the only time where the girls get to play with some of their friends.” On league teams, the girls are split between teams to make the distribution even. “It’s the only time that they actually get to be with their friends and do what they love.”
Jessup said the format is important because it allows the girls to develop their skills without male players involved. “Some of the girls are shy…so it allows them the opportunity to do so without feeling shy or worrying about the boys.”
Payton Blank, 10 and Shyanne Pecarski, 11 took part in the clinic and agreed that the all-girls setting is more comfortable for them. Payton said, “I feel a lot more comfortable with girls instead of boys.” Both have been playing hockey since TimBits or shortly after.
Shyanne agreed. “The girls, I feel more comfortable with them whenever we play.” She said a female coach, “explain(s) a little bit more than boy coaches.”
Jessup feels a female coaching other females can offer more insight and, “it’s always nice to see other girls that are developing in the sport or who have gone through the ranks, as well.”
Amelia Dombroskie and Peyton Plebon play in the house league and on the high school varsity girls’ hockey team. Both are 15 and have been playing since age four or five.
Peyton recalls doing hockey camps when she was younger and, “I remember being very intimidated with not high confidence,” in a mixed group with boys and girls, “so I’m really happy that these girls get the opportunity,” to take part in a girls-only clinic.
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